December 2012

By Annette M. Boyle LOS ANGELES – Nearly 40% of veterans receiving antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection also have hepatitis C virus (HCV), yet many of them never are treated for the underlying condition. Patients often are… Read More

By Sandra Basu Pfc. Ashley Dusack, water treatment specialist, 401st Quartermaster Detachment, Lock Haven, PA, uses a shovel found in a debris pile to push water out of a backyard in Breezy Point, NY, in mid-November. — Photo by Maj.… Read More

By Sandra Basu VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki visited Manhattan-area facilities in the aftermath of the storm. Washington – Hurricane Sandy, when it hit the northeast in October took a huge toll on the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System’s… Read More

Researchers Call for Larger Studies at Lower Oxygen Doses By Sandra Basu WASHINGTON – The use of hyperbaric oxygen to improve mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulted in no symptom relief at the exposure pressure tested, according to a new… Read More

By Sandra Basu Samples being filed at the Joint Pathology Center. WASHINGTON – An expert group is recommending that the Joint Pathology Center permit “wide access” to the world-renowned tissue repository. The JPC officially opened last year to serve as… Read More

By Sandra Basu WASHINGTON – VA has updated its list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that can be used by Vietnam-era veterans to determine if they qualify for presumption of Agent Orange exposure. That enables the veterans to… Read More

SILVER SPRING, MD — Using genetic sequencing, military scientists have found new evidence that the first vaccine shown to prevent HIV infection in humans also has an effect on viruses in those already infected. The report, published recently in the… Read More

AMHERST, MA – Prior exposure to anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) did not increase risk of disability separation from the Army or receipt of disability compensation from the VA, according to a consultant study.1 Authors of the study from ENVIRON International… Read More

Military Close to Human Ebola ‘Cocktail’ Treatment FREDERICK, MD — Military researchers have moved a step closer to protecting humans against the deadly effects of Ebola virus. A new Ebola virus study has shown promising preliminary results, preventing disease in… Read More

RICHMOND, VA – Even though antibiotics may lead to an increase in international normalized ratio (INR) for older veterans on stable warfarin therapy, that may not result in clinically significant outcomes of bleeding or hospitalization, according to a new report.1… Read More

TACOMA, WA – Sepsis, one of the leading causes of death in critical-care units, can progress rapidly, making early initiation of antibiotics critical. A recent study from Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, underscores that a sepsis protocol can… Read More

RICHMOND, VA — The rate of serious infections is significantly increased for patients with decompensated cirrhosis who take proton pump inhibitors (PPI), according to a recent study.1 Researchers from McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, VA, sought to determine… Read More

By Sandra Basu Vladimir Nacev, PhD WASHINGTON – In the past, healthcare systems typically waited until a drinker sought help for alcohol dependence before intervening. Now, a newer model encourages clinicians to engage with their patients about alcohol use before… Read More